Napier-Bentley
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| 1929 Napier-Bentley | |
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| Production | 1972 |
| Body style(s) | Single-seater |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine(s) | 24000 cc Napier Sea-Lion W12 Aero Engine |
| Related | Napier-Railton |
The Napier Bentley is a vintage racing car; a one-off special built in 1968 by original owner Peter Morley. It was originally built on a Sunbeam chassis, but after an end over end accident was re-built on the chassis of a 1929 8 L Bentley. It has an awesome 24 L Napier Sea Lion W12 aeroplane engine (same as that used in the silver Napier-Railton) under its hood, which throws out 550 bhp (410 kW). It is seen regularly at historic racing events mostly in the United Kingdom, but has been spotted at some European events.
An attractive special, with its red bodywork and Napier-Railton-esque grille (which is actually based on the air scoop of the WW2 Hawker Typhoon fighter plane), it is a very popular car with spectators, because of the noise and fire. Incidentally, being a W12, the engine has three banks of four huge stub exhausts, one of which points straight out the side of the car. Due to these, the sound of the car is akin to a World War I biplane, and a cluster or mortar bombs going off. And there's the smoke. Due to the immense torque, the rear tyres produce clouds and clouds of smoke whenever this machine is launched, and the exhausts produce sparks, flames and smoke in equal measure.
Currently, since 1999, the car is owned by Chris Williams.
